UK fuel prices hit four-year highs as oil market turmoil continues
Petrol and diesel prices in the United Kingdom have risen to their highest levels in four years, according to the RAC, amid sustained high oil prices.
According to the RAC, average forecourt prices for petrol and diesel have climbed to their highest points in four years, pushing the cost of a full tank for a family car up by nearly £5 since early September. The surge coincides with Brent crude breaching the $100-per-barrel threshold after fresh strikes aimed at Saudi Arabia and Gulf shipping routes, following earlier attacks on a Saudi pipeline. Market commentators highlight that ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the approach of colder months could further tighten supply and sustain elevated prices.
While fuel duty is scheduled to rise in January, the RAC’s policy head argues for maintaining current rates until at least the end of the parliamentary term. A Treasury spokesperson reiterated that tax policy decisions are reserved for the Chancellor and did not address speculation about fuel duty changes.
Why it matters
Higher fuel costs strain household budgets and could influence government tax policy.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the price surge as a consequence of Middle-East conflict and seasonal supply tightness, urging caution on upcoming fuel-duty hikes, while centrist coverage simply reports the rising numbers and oil price level. Right-leaning coverage turns the story into a political attack, blaming the Iran war and the Labour government and highlighting the billions paid by motorists and the Treasury’s VAT windfall.
LEFT
Frames the surge as driven by geopolitical conflict and seasonal factors, questioning upcoming fuel-duty increases.
RIGHT
Casts the rise as a political scandal caused by the Iran war, stressing the huge cost to drivers and the Treasury’s VAT gain.
The left emphasises
- ongoing conflict in the Middle East could further tighten supply
- fuel duty is scheduled to rise in January, with calls to keep rates unchanged
- cost of a full tank for a family car up by nearly £5 since early September
The right emphasises
- drivers forced to pay an extra £7.5 billion because of the Iran war
- Treasury netted a £1.3 billion VAT windfall from higher prices
- ‘perfect storm’ of world events driving heating oil and fuel prices to four-year highs
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Iran readies major fuel price hike amid US sanctions and war pressures
- Sep 8 The US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for two missile strikes on a US warship over two days.
- Sep 9 Iran launched a missile strike on a Jordanian military base.
- Sep 9 US military says it destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers following IRGC ballistic missile attacks on a US Navy warship.
- Sep 9 Brent futures rose above $100 a barrel on Wednesday, driven by escalating attacks in the Middle East that have tightened oil supplies.
- Sep 9 Iran said its forces also engaged two US vessels and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Sep 10 Brent crude rose above $105 per barrel.
- Sep 11 Diesel fuel in the United States has risen past $6 per gallon, a sharp increase linked to recent military actions involving the U.S., Israel and Iran.
- Sep 11 Diesel prices crossed $6 per gallon for the first time.
- Sep 12 Iran announced attacks on ten vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Sep 13 A ship was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, prompting crew evacuation after a fire broke out, according to UKMTO.
- Sep 14 Saudi Arabia temporarily closed its east‑west pipeline after a drone strike traced to Iraq, while an Iranian commercial vessel reported casualties nearby.
- Sep 14 Brent futures rose to $109.97, a three‑month peak, widening the price gap with regional benchmarks.
- Sep 15 Trump asserted the war could end right after the November midterm elections.
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